Moving to Oregon - best towns along the coast?? (Coos Bay: HOA, crimes)

[RFF]

We will be visiting the coast (Newport , Yachats, Waldport) in a week. My family and I have been looking at a possible move. Wife loves coastal weather and wants to be near the ocean. I've been a desert rat all my life with moderate allergies and some dry skin issues. These issues go away in areas with more humidity. I'm working with a recruiter in Oregon for a possible job if I'm ready to pull the trigger and say yes.

I understand prop taxes are higher than in Nevada. Gas prices are 20 cents cheaper. No sales tax. It'd be renting a place before deciding on buying a home too.

So is the coast a good place to raise kids? We are both in our mid 30's with boys ages 2 4 and 9. The oldest is interested in weather science and OSU is a little over an hour away from Newport. Just wanted to get some opinions.

[Cloudy Dayz]

Originally Posted by RFF

We will be visiting the coast (Newport , Yachats, Waldport) in a week. My family and I have been looking at a possible move. Wife loves coastal weather and wants to be near the ocean. I've been a desert rat all my life with moderate allergies and some dry skin issues. These issues go away in areas with more humidity. I'm working with a recruiter in Oregon for a possible job if I'm ready to pull the trigger and say yes.

I understand prop taxes are higher than in Nevada. Gas prices are 20 cents cheaper. No sales tax. It'd be renting a place before deciding on buying a home too.

So is the coast a good place to raise kids? We are both in our mid 30's with boys ages 2 4 and 9. The oldest is interested in weather science and OSU is a little over an hour away from Newport. Just wanted to get some opinions.

Sparks to Newport, that's a pretty big jump. Are you sure you are ready for that much climate change? I'd recommend you visit again for a week or two around Christmas time, if you haven't already been here in the winter.

[wolfdog]

That's funny...we've been looking at Sparks/Reno. We see it as getting back to civilization.

[RFF]

Originally Posted by Cloudy Dayz

Sparks to Newport, that's a pretty big jump. Are you sure you are ready for that much climate change? I'd recommend you visit again for a week or two around Christmas time, if you haven't already been here in the winter.

You are right. It's a pretty big jump for sure. Our area is blowing up but I'm ready for a big change. I don't mind the cold as much. I've been doing winter sports for a long time (Mammoth, Tahoe, Etc) so I've dealt with some winters but coastal weather must be different. We are at that stage in our lives to try it. Why not right? If we don't like it we can always move back. Jobs are plentiful in my field.

[RFF]

Originally Posted by wolfdog

That's funny...we've been looking at Sparks/Reno. We see it as getting back to civilization.

Well better come soon. House prices are going up.

[Cloudy Dayz]

Originally Posted by RFF

You are right. It's a pretty big jump for sure. Our area is blowing up but I'm ready for a big change. I don't mind the cold as much. I've been doing winter sports for a long time (Mammoth, Tahoe, Etc) so I've dealt with some winters but coastal weather must be different. We are at that stage in our lives to try it. Why not right? If we don't like it we can always move back. Jobs are plentiful in my field.

I didn't say it wasn't right. I just said you should come for a couple of weeks in the middle of winter, and see what it's like. Just so you don't make any mistakes. A lot of people move here and then decide thay can't take the rain, wind, fog and cool temperatures everyday in the winter, and then leave. You will see a lot less sun here. On the plus side, you will also see a lot less snow, sub-freezing temperatures, and 100 degree heat. You just have to see if it works for you.

[wolfdog]

Originally Posted by RFF

Well better come soon. House prices are going up.

So is my present home's value.

[Nell Plotts]

You may want to look at the southern Oregon Coast.

Oregon's "Banana Belt"
Also known as the “Brookings Effect,” the meteorological phenomenon keeps the southern Oregon coast warmer than usual. It’s great news for those who love everything about the Oregon coast except the chilly weather

[RFF]

Originally Posted by Cloudy Dayz

I didn't say it wasn't right. I just said you should come for a couple of weeks in the middle of winter, and see what it's like. Just so you don't make any mistakes. A lot of people move here and then decide thay can't take the rain, wind, fog and cool temperatures everyday in the winter, and then leave. You will see a lot less sun here. On the plus side, you will also see a lot less snow, sub-freezing temperatures, and 100 degree heat. You just have to see if it works for you.

Thanks for the advice Cloudy. We will definitely check things out on multiple trips. If we like it, we will visit in the dead of winter for a week. I am hoping we get out of Reno/Sparks when it hits 10 degrees in Dec/Jan

[DKM]

There isn't a lot of good areas to pick from for raising kids. Its a long term economically depressed place, although that's fine for retirees. You will find decent schools parts of the areas from Port Orford to Coos Bay and around Newport (ie areas that have more than tourism for the economy). The rest is not ideal.